A/N So, Akira M and I had a nice little chat about longer chapters and I've come to a decision. For where I am going now with the story, little chapters work better for my goal. But since Akira had a point as well, I've made myself a deal. As long as I need the little chappies, you'll get two chapters for the price of one :-) So you all can thank Akira M for this bonus chapter today ;-)
Previously on lovely: Leah is so alienated by the happiness surrounding her, that she turns to Nature. She quickly realizes it might become a bit more permanent than anticipated…
Chapter 4: The point of no return
While I was still outweighing pro's and con's in my head, I became aware of a second presence in it. Argh, some people just didn't grasp the concept of alone time. I was soooo gonna kick Jake's ass for this.
"Aw, Leah, don't be mad at Jake, he actually told me to leave you alone," Seth whined.
"Then why aren't you, Seth?" I complained to my baby brother, annoyed that he deprived me of an excuse to take it out on Jake
"Cause you're missing all the fun here and I wanted to know what took you so long," he explained.
Okay, so perhaps Seth was a little but more perceptive than I had given him credit for. Because 'wanting to know what took you so long' could be loosely translated as 'I was worried about you'.
"I fail to see the fun in a vampire gathering in a place they shouldn't be," I mocked sarcastically, ignoring on purpose what he was saying between the lines.
"There is plenty of food too," Seth tried to persuade me.
"Perhaps I am not hungry," I retorted.
"Emily baked loads of muffins," he teased, sending me mental images of the said goodies.
It started to work, though. If there was one thing I loved about my cousin above all, then it definitely was her baking skills.
Seth seemed to know he was gaining ground, as he wasted no time to press his case even further.
"And Claire is still in her I-really-love-to-make-fun-of-Quil phase. Don't tell me it wasn't fun last time," he continued.
The kid had a point, on Claire's track-record was, among others, Claire using her newly-gained make-up kit on Quil. I hadn't been there, but I'd seen the pictures, which were just as good.
"Too bad Nessie skipped that phase all-together, no?" Seth ruthlessly continued, trying to imagine Jake with make-up.
I snorted at the sight of his mental pictures.
"Okay, that's it, Seth, you win, I am coming," I finally gave in to him.
Instead of the triumphant jibe I had expected to come from him on my defeat, I was met by slight panic.
"Er and not a minute too soon, I think Jake just found out I was up to a bit more than just a pee break," Seth stuttered.
"Serves you right, bro," I told him off smugly, barking a wolf-laugh.
And sure enough, his presence was gone in an instant and a new presence replaced it.
"Sorry about that, Leah, I should have figured out sooner what was on his mind," Jake apologized.
"It's okay, Jake, it would probably have taken an Alpha order to stop him," I soothed him.
"So, we're cool?" he verified.
"Yeah, we're cool and I am coming down now," I replied.
"Save me some muffins, will ya?" I added.
"Oh, I don't know about that," he teased.
"I am gonna kick your ass if you don't!" I threatened.
"Wooooo, scary," Jake continued and in that instant I realized he only teased me to give me an excuse to let out some frustration. And it was working too.
"Thanks, Jake," I said warmly. He didn't need explaining to understand what I was talking about. One of the benefits of being in each other's head, so to speak.
"Any time, Leah," he smiled, before phasing back and leaving me to my thoughts again.
Jake really did make a good Alpha. He respected his people and did what was best for them. But I wouldn't do him justice if I said it was only that. He was also a caring friend, no more and no less. I guess I really had to thank Bella for her courage, because it was Nessie who had given Jake the peace of mind that made him the leader worthy of following. And regardless of the good outcome, Bella really had been prepared to die giving birth to her daughter. I honestly didn't know if I would have had the guts if it were me in her shoes.
